Nursing Assistant - Community Living Center (1P)

Veterans Health Administration • Richmond, VA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time Nursing Assistant position in the Short Stay Rehabilitation Neighborhood 1P unit within the GEC Department. The Nursing Assistant works within the scope of CNA certification and provides care to patients and residents according to their needs, contributing to outcomes as a member of a multidisciplinary healthcare team. Several vacancies are being recruited for. The full performance level is GS-05, and selection may be at GS-03 through GS-05.

The role includes direct support with activities of daily living and attention to patients’ and residents’ psychological, physical, social, cultural, and emotional needs. The Nursing Assistant documents and communicates through the computerized patient record system, maintains required certification and basic life support, follows infection-control and equipment-maintenance standards, and supports patient, resident, visitor, employee, and team safety. The position also involves responding appropriately to medical emergencies and collaborating with nurses, providers, and other team members.

All shifts are available, including weekends and holidays. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. The position requires face-to-face patient care and may involve use of IT software and equipment for virtual visits and electronic medical records. Physical demands include lifting, prolonged standing, sitting, bending, stooping, walking, reaching, repetitive motion, and climbing stairs. The work pace may range from steady to fast-paced, with multiple priorities, frequent customer interactions, and a sometimes-noisy environment. Personal protective equipment may be needed to prevent exposure to disease, illness, and hazardous materials.

Requirements

• Meet the basic qualification through one of the following: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire Nursing Assistant skills; one year of post-high-school education with courses related to the occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course of less than one year.
• Be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Meet U.S. citizenship requirements; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Meet the applicable grade requirements. GS-3 has no requirements beyond the basic requirements.
• For GS-4, have one year of specialized Nursing Assistant or other medical-field experience involving technical and nursing skills, or two years of relevant post-high-school education; and demonstrate ability to provide patient/resident care, observe and report changes in status, use equipment for basic and intermediate procedures, and communicate effectively with patients, families, and health professionals.
• For GS-5, have one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4, or a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours related to health care or a bachelor's degree; and demonstrate ability to assist with nursing care, communicate orally with patients, families, interdisciplinary teams and other personnel, support new Nursing Assistants as a preceptor, and recognize and respond to emergent care situations.
• Complete required background and security investigation, onboarding, and pre-employment physical evaluation; selected applicants are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use and must complete applicable identification and application requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and comply with VHA-mandated vaccinations and employee health requirements.
• If selected, serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment after the trial period.
• Meet physical and mental/sensory demands of direct patient care, including lifting, prolonged standing, bending, walking, reaching, stair climbing, processing information, communication, writing, keyboarding, and electronic-record use.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience as a care partner, Nursing Assistant, or personal care attendant in a professional setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient and resident care, including support with psychological, physical, social, and cultural activities of daily living.
• Provide care with dignity and ongoing consideration of patients’ and residents’ emotional needs.
• Report, communicate, and document information in the computerized patient record system with the multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Maintain certification and basic life support (BLS), and remain current with required education and training.
• Use equipment competently, follow technical standards, and perform administrative support duties.
• Follow standard operating procedures for maintaining reusable medical equipment.
• Participate in Medical Center activities and promote positive internal and external customer relationships.
• Attend unit-level and Medical Center meetings and develop as an employee, including supporting committee participation.
• Maintain patient and resident privacy and physical and psychological safety.
• Establish working relationships with multidisciplinary and multilevel team members and promote a safe working environment.
• Aid and support the Registered Nurse and/or provider within the CNA certification and grade scope and Medical Center policy.
• Provide care consistent with infection-control standards of practice.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to medical emergencies, including cardiac or respiratory failure.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on the position and eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED